As Classic Auto’s Rick Drewry headed down into the basement at this year’s Detroit 2020 Autorama, he stopped for a quick chat with the proud owner of this head-turning 1949 Ford F1 Pickup. Don, the passionate owner, alongside his daughter, Dakota, was more than happy to discuss their Jeep green classic Ford F1 Pickup with the original 239 flathead engine they converted to a five-speed transmission.
It was our pleasure to spend a few minutes with proud owner Don, and his daughter Dakota as we listened to the fascinating story behind this beautiful classic truck.
Interview Transcription:
Rick: All right, this is Rick Drewry with Classic Auto Insurance. We’re at Detroit Autorama 2020. I’m here with Don and Dakota to talk about this gorgeous old Ford pickup truck that’s down in the basement, which is one of our favorite places to be. All right, Don, tell me a little bit about the truck.
Don: It’s a 1949 Ford F1 pickup, it’s basically done as a classic traditional style pot ride away. They do in the fifties and sixties. Hence the lacing and wide whites and lowering. It still has a factory 239 flathead in it with a five-speed.
Rick: Yeah, very cool.
Don: We converted to a five-speed just to make it more drivable. And we go everywhere, cruise nights, she’s been cruising with the trucks since she was six months old.
Rick: Okay.
Don: We put a tether in it so we could put her baby seat in the truck and we’d go to all the cruise nights and car shows that way. That’s why she’s so adapted to her truck because it’s her truck now.
Rick: This is your truck Dakota?
Dakota: Yes.
Rick: Awesome. He’s not allowed to sell it is he?
Dakota: No, not at all.
Rick: I didn’t think so. All right, I tell you what the truck to me is cool. I love the old lace style and all that. Even with the pinstripes and everything. What color is that?
Don: That’s a 2011 Jeep green. The rescue green off the Jeeps.
Rick: Okay.
Don: Yeah, my best friend and I did all the bodywork and he painted it in a two-car garage with a very low ceiling. He was leaning on the front drums so he could reach the roof to paint it. Originally it was going to be a flat finish truck. And then there was a piece of dirt in the truck and he polished the one spot and it came up shiny in that spot. And the next thing you know the plan changed.
Rick: Yeah why not. I think it looks awesome. Especially from being painted in the garage, well done.
Don: Thank you.
Rick: I’ll tell you what the culture down here; It’s fun being down here I think. Is this the first time you showed the truck here?
Don: This is the second time. The first time was about seven years ago. I actually won the traditional Hot Rod Pickup back in 2013. It’s just fun. People down here are all hard-working blue-collar people and they love cars and they love the whole culture of dressing traditionally and just having fun.
Rick: Having a good time.
Don: Oh yeah.
Rick: You see the whole gamut of cars
Don: Yes.
Rick: What do you think about the younger people getting into the carhop?
Don: I love it actually. There’s a couple of young guys here that actually built a couple of cars for this show and it’s good because you got to keep the young people interested. I mean, some people like these style cars, but even the ones that build race cars like that. I mean, it’s, it’s, you’re still a car guy and it’s, you’re still into the sport, which makes it, you can evolve from new to old and old to new. As long as you’re in the sport, I guess that’s all the counts because you’re still a car person at the end of the day.
Rick: That’s right. That’s right. And not everybody has a million dollars to build something.
Don: Right.
Rick: You just put your best effort out.
Don: That’s it.
Rick: I’m happy for you.
Don: It’s all blood, sweat and beers.
Rick: That’s right. Exactly. That’s cool. Well, Don and Dakota, you got any parting words to say?
Dakota: I love my truck.
Don: There is perfect. That is perfect. Awesome. Well, that’s great. Again, down here in the basement of Detroit 2020, you can’t find a better place.
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